All those aged over 65, all care home residents and staff regardless of whether they have symptoms, and all people who have to go out to work can now be tested for coronavirus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement as he said the government has been ‘ramping up’ testing across the UK.
He said 'expanded capacity' means it is now possible to test these groups, as well as those in hospitals, frontline workers and key workers and their families.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street press briefing on Tuesday (April 28), Mr Hancock said: “From construction workers to emergency plumbers, from research scientists to those in manufacturing, the expansion of access to testing will protect the most vulnerable and help keep people safe.
“It’s possible because we’ve expanded capacity for testing thus far.”
Mr Hancock said he hopes testing asymptomatic residents and staff in care homes will help 'protect the most vulnerable'.
He said: “Building on successful pilots, we will be rolling out testing of asymptomatic residents and staff in care homes in England, and to patients and staff in the NHS.
“This will mean that anyone who is working or living in a care home will be able to get access to a test whether they have symptoms or not.
“I am determined to do everything I can to protect the most vulnerable.”
The Health Secretary said the government was on track to meet the goal of 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month.
He said there is now the capacity to carry out more than 70,000 tests a day.
There are now 41 drive-through centres for testing, with 48 going live this week.
The dispatch of home test kits will also be expanded to 25,000 a day by the end of the week - it was at 5,000 a day last Friday.
The full list of people who can be tested for coronavirus as detailed on the government website are:
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All those working on the frontline in health and social care (with or without symptoms)
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Patients in the NHS and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms)
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All other essential workers with symptoms
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People who live with essential workers and have symptoms
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People over 65 with symptoms
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Anyone who goes into work because they cannot work from home (for example, construction workers) and has symptoms
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